Ep.40 The Human-Animal Bond w Veterinary Social Work with Hanna Wise, RCSWI, MSW

In this Nature Series on The Bonded Podcast we explore how humans can build secure bonds with each other, with animals, and with the natural world. Today we sit down with Hanna Wise, a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern (RCSWI) specializing in veterinary social work. Hanna shares how she stumbled into this niche, deeply meaningful field, and what it looks like to support both the humans and animals who walk through the doors of a nonprofit veterinary clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. From pet loss grief groups to staff burnout, this conversation will open your eyes to a field you've probably never heard of but will absolutely relate to if you've ever had an affection for animals or pets.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Veterinary social work is built on one core principle: respecting the dignity and worth of all species.
• Pet loss is disenfranchised grief — it's valid, it's real, and it deserves the same space as any other grief.
• The human-animal bond as a secure attachment — how our relationships with pets mirror the principles of healthy human connection, including trust, consistency, co-regulation, and boundaries.
• What pets can teach us about relationships — body language, respecting "no," early socialization, and growing independence over time.
• The potential for sacred reciprocity within human-animal bond.
• Pets can serve as a mirror for healthy relationships — modeling boundaries, trust-building, and independence.

If this episode sparked something in you, share it with a friend who has loved their pet, works in veterinary medicine, or is curious about the intersection of mental health and animal welfare.

Stay Connected

🐾 Virtual Pet Loss Support Group — First Wednesday of every month. Open to anyone in Florida through EveryPet.org email Hanna at hwise@everypet.org

Learn mindfulness and self-compassion tools at www.SacredTreehouse.org

Resources

Strengthening the Human-Animal Bond This website has so many great links that can be utilized for individuals and families, with a lot of the topics that we discussed being addressed. https://mhanational.org/resources/strengthening-the-human-animal-bond/

Jacksonville Specific

• https://jaxhumane.org/pet-help/pet-owner-assistance/
• https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/office-of-administrative-services/animal-care-and-protective-services

Veterinary Social Work Resources

• https://vetsocialwork.tennessee.edu/
• https://www.iavsw.org/